United Way of Morgan County tops goal again

Donations well over $240,000 for the 2012 campaign

The United Way of Morgan County is well over its $240,000 goal for the 2012 campaign, Betsy Porter, executive director, reported to the board of directors Wednesday.

About $255,000 has been raised.

"We're not done," she said. "There's more coming."

The United Way has only once failed to meet its goal, never in Porter's tenure, which began in 2006.

The board noted annual allocation hearings will be held Wednesday, March 6 starting at 11 a.m. at the Fort Morgan school support center.

Porter reported that there will be a lot of requests for venture grants, including one from Eban Ezer Lutheran Care Center.

The center is putting a bistro into its sunroom; cost is estimated at $60,000, and the center's secondhand store has so far raised about $30,000.

A request for $756 to cover VISTA volunteers' mileage expenses has also been received.

There are eight venture requests so far, Porter said. Those requests will be weighed in the spring.

The board is reviewing a strategic plan that will be up for approval in March.

The vision statement says the organization will build a stronger Morgan County by mobilizing communities to improve people's lives.

The vision statement says United Way seeks to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another.

The plan focuses on resource development, agency support, social planning and community awareness.

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In 2012, the organization served as fiscal sponsor of NE Colorado Rural Philanthropy days, sponsored a senior resource fair, supported a community garden, held an annual golf tournament, participated in the Brush Oktoberfest and sponsored Golden Agers Christmas trees that resulted in delivery of more than 140 gifts.

Partner agencies for the United Way of Morgan County include Caring Pregnancy Resource Center, Adult Basic Education, American Red Cross, Arthritis Foundation, Association for Children with Disabilities, Baby Bear Hugs, Blud Horizons, Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, Connections for Independent Living, Een Ezer Home and Personal Care, Girl Scouts, Home Run Against Dgus, Morgan County Family Center, OneMorgan County, Rural Soultions, Salvation Army Brush unit, Sexual Assault Response Advocates, SHARE Inc., School for the Performing Arts and 211.

Wendy Ftizler has taken the president's post, succeeding Michelle Nelson, who remains on the board. Other officers are Keith Kuretich, president elect; Sonya Bass, secretary; and Robert Allen, treasurer.

The board approvbed two trips for Porter, one to a national staff leadership conference in Indianapolis, Ind. (the bulk of the expenses will be paid by $1,400-plus in national United Way credits) and a coalition of Colorado United Ways meeting in Denver for $300. Porter will speak on the 211 informational telephone system at the state conference.

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